What wins paintball games?

I was looking though a number of threads and seeing what people said about tactics, strategy, and skill. so then my question to the nation is, what do you think wins games? Strategy, skill, or the marker you use? Just because you have a high-end marker, doesnt mean you can still win games. Thoughts?

So lets say that you you have a field that says you can only use the rental markers, but does not say you have to split up the teams. Would you or any one say that the field is NOT leveling the playing field as much as they think?

Unless you're playing against and with amazing competition, better gear won't do ****. Why bother with a super duper highend when you can't aim or snapshoot? There's a certain point when better gear does gives you a slight (and I mean SLIGHT) advantage, but until you get to the higher divisions, teamwork, physical fitness, and knowledge of the game's technical and competitive aspects will win you games.

I agree, teamwork is a huge roll in paintball, without it you might as well go out in the middle of the field and let yourself get shot. If you dont have cooperative teamates, and the other team does, then you've already lost. Some markers could be useful in certain situations for better accuracy and liabilty, but overall; communication and cooperation will help you win.

__________________I'd Rather Die A Hero,
Than Live A Coward
I'd Rather Fight My Enemies
Than Cower As They Hurt Me
I'd Rather Die
Than Let Anyone Touch My Loved Ones

Teamwork, communication, skill, equipment. Teamwork is crusial but you can't have teamwork without communication. Skill is required because even if you have teamwork and communication you can still loose because you aren't able to work into teams plans if you can't hit the broad side of a barn. Equipment is last because you can still go out and beat a team with a low end gun.

Practice, practice, practice and more practice wins games. Scrimmaging against players better than you/your squad will help you win by stepping out onto the field. Getting blown up for making mistakes will help you learn quickly. If you can get more seasoned, and proven, players to coach you... That will greatly help as well. Practice also allows you to get to know your team where the stakes aren't too high. A seasoned team will be filled with players who know each other, and how to play off of one another. It also helps to build trust. If you're a snake player and know you can trust your anchor to keep you alive, you're going to be much more deadly.

When you're out of the field, communication/teamwork will really help. You can have a team full of great players, but if they aren't talking they may very well lose to the team of Joe Schmos who are all working together. Along with talking goes listening. A lot of people can yell really loud, but you need to listen to what you teammates are saying and act accordingly. This also echoes what I said about playing off of one another and trust.

Equipment can decide games, but the player/team is what really wins it. Now days, any mid-high end marker is going to sling paint at a reliable 15bps/300fps. My marker of choice is an Ego, but I would happily shoot a Geo/DM/Shocker/Ion/Luxe/Etc... if I didn't have a choice because they will meet and comply with all tournament rules. Me shooting an Ion isn't going to have a real affect on how I perform as a player. The reason I prefer my Ego is that I know I can rely on it, I like how it feels in my hands, and I like how it shoots. Some people prefer Spoolies, and the more power to them. However, if you walk out into a PSP Pro match with a pump marker or Pirhanna... You're probably going to get your *** handed to you. Using equipment that you cannot count on, or does not meet/exceed the requirements for your style of play is where you'll see a difference.

The biggest equipment issue, IMHO, is masks. If you're wearing $20 vForce shield, you're going to fog up terribly, and not be nearly as effective as someone who can see more than three feet in front of them.

Communication is a very large part of winning games. The moment you stop communicating with your team is when the other team has the upper hand. It's a nice blend of communication, playing tight, endurance, and even something as simple as a good bond between teammates.